No formal flight plan, or flight following, but I leave a "game plan," including ETAs, with folks at home. I like freedom to adapt and adjust when way up there, which is just what I had to do on this flight, when I found myself with throttle buried, nose up, ground speed at 65 knots, and I was loosing 700 fpm! Of course the plane has its ELT and a PLB--and radio is always set to "on-guard" 121.5. Beyond all that, I sometimes monitor weather for days, so I'm going on the absolute "perfect" day; If I get up there and it's not, I abort and come home. But I must say, when you're at 12K and as far as you can see in all directions is 30-ft-deep snow, it does tend to tighten something up...

drdehave wrote:... when I found myself with throttle buried, nose up, ground speed at 65 knots, and I was loosing 700 fpm!

Oooh, I'll bet that introduced a pucker factor! But beautiful flight and glad that you had enough altitude to get away from that downdraft. I have to admit that flying over mountainous areas are something that I'm not well practiced at, so I am at awe of your flights and videos. Thanks for sharing!

With the air battle still raging around him, Chisov intentionally did not open his parachute, since he feared that he would be an easy target for an angry German pilot while he was dangling from his parachute harness. He planned to drop below the level of the battle, and open his chute, when he was out of sight of the fighters. Due to the thin atmosphere at that altitude, however, he lost consciousness and was unable to pull the rip cord.

Chisov struck the edge of a snowy ravine at an estimated speed of somewhere between 190 and 240 km/h (120 and 150 mph), then slid, rolled, and plowed his way to the bottom. The aerial battle had been seen by cavalry commanded by General Pavel Alexeyevich Belov. When Chisov was seen falling to the ground, cavalrymen rushed to the site, and were surprised to find Chisov alive, still wearing his unopened parachute. Chisov regained consciousness a short time later.

Chisov suffered severe injuries, including spinal injuries and a broken pelvis. He was operated on by surgeon Y. Gudynsky, and for a month his condition was considered critical. Despite his injuries, he was able to fly again three months later.